Hull City apply to change name to Tigers

Hull have formally applied to the FA to change their playing name to Hull Tigers from next season.

The move, which is being fought by a group of the club's fans, has been prompted by owner Assem Allam, who believes the new name would be more commercially successful.

Allam has already changed the company name to Hull City Tigers but he needs the permission of the FA Council to change the club's playing name, and the 'City Till We Die' protest group is opposing the plans.

Allam has offered to refund any of the club's season-ticket holders who are unhappy and has previously said he considers a Tigers brand to be more marketable, and the word 'City' to be "lousy" and "common".

The 74-year-old Egypt-born businessman, who moved to Hull in 1968, also caused controversy earlier this month by saying of the critics: "They can die as soon as they want, as long as they leave the club for the majority who just want to watch good football."

Hull manager Steve Bruce believes Allam should be granted his wish.

He said last month: "I can understand [the unhappiness] because in our country especially we are really big traditionalists and a lot of people have supported the club since the year dot, where it has been Hull City AFC.

"But the owner has come in and he's in a different culture and for the money he has put into the club if he thinks Hull Tigers is his way forward then we have to respect it.

"If he asks us to play in pink and white stripes on Saturday we have to do it because without him there wouldn't be either a Hull City or a Hull Tigers."